9/11 Constraints

“The world changed on September 11, 2001. We learned that a threat that gathers on the other side of the earth could strike our own cities and kill our own citizens. It is an important lesson; one we can never forget. Oceans no longer protect America from the dangers of this world. We are protected by daily vigilance at home. And we will be protected by resolute and decisive action against threats abroad. President George W. Bush, September 17, 2002

“Preventing terrorism is the cornerstone of homeland security.” September 11, 2001, was a stark reminder that targeting our homeland remains a objective to our adversaries. The attacks on 9/11 exposed the U.S. vulnerabilities. Until that moment, the big stick America carried was enough to keep

It will examine how the current constraints play a role in homeland defense and defense overseas, the tensions between competing interests of homeland security and international support. Finally, how the U.S. can best balance their requirements against the limited fiscal constraints.

How We Protect the Homeland

Until the terrorist acts of September 11, the U.S. military focused their efforts overseas to fight and win wars; we have since changed the way we do business. The 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) emphasizes the Department’s first defense strategy to protect the nation. The Department of Defense (DOD) will deter and defeat attacks on the United States and to support civil authorities in potential attacks and natural disasters.”

Non-state actors attempt to attack the U.S. and recruit U.S. citizens to participate in attacks against our homeland without warning. The prospect of terrorist attacks on our homeland from non-state actors or our own radicalized homegrown terrorists has increased a

soil. "As the U.S. completes its mission in Afghanistan, the Reserve Component will continue to play a vital role, and could be the interlocking connection in ensuring protection of the homeland, building security globally, and projecting power and to win decisively."

The National Guard is a DOD architect on homeland issues, streamlining civil support to the stakeholders and integrating with joint, interagency, and intergovernmental functions. In 2008, the National Guard assumed authority to exercise control of military forces, domestic operations, and federal military forces by supporting unity of effort. Each National Guard – State is organized to conduct operations in State active duty (SAD), or title 10 statuses to support homeland defense, defense support of civil authorities, and other domestic emergency missions within the U.S .